Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-07-05
The Reunion at gettysburg.

The Reunion at Gettysburg.
The survivors of Pickett's Division, who
arrived at Gettysburg Saturday night ac-
companed by the widow and son of the late
Gen. Pickett, received an enthusiastic well
come from the Philadelphia Brigade. There
was but little sleep for any of the soldiers
that night, and Sunday the town and
vicinity was crowded with thousands of
visitors, brought by numerous excursion
trains. Sunday morning dawned clear
and beautiful, perfect counterpart of the
day IL commemorated. The morning was
spent in sightseeing and going over the field.
One house in which a Confederate shell
is still sticking, attracted more than usuai
attention. Mrs Pickett, widow Of the Gen
eral, arrived il the train from Baltimore at
AS. accompanied by number Of ladies and
about 10 Of Pickett's soldiers. large
crowd gathered at the depot TO welcome
her, and her tall, shapely figure, attired in
black, leaning on the arm of her son; was
conspicuous among the crowd. About nine
O'Clock the train froal Richmond arrived,
bringing about 100 Of Pickett's men, under
command Of Capt e. p Reeves. There
were great crowds on ali sides Of the depot
to welcome them. When Pickett's men
descended from the cars and formed into
line there was great enthusiasm and un-
measured applause. a procession was
formed for the march TO the court
house. where the speeches were made.
A halt was called at the public square,
where q remarkable scene took place.
The Philadelphia Brigade stood i'll lines
PARALLEL to those of Pickett's men, when
stentorian voice called out, "Right and left
face This order was hardly obeyed, when
the same voice gave the command, "Ad-
vance, In an instant the men, who had
been made TO face each other by the first
order, were close together and the palms OF
their hands came together with sound that
could be heard some distance. There was
no sentimentaiity about it. 1t was the
square grip OF earnest men. The object
of the halt was to give Pickett's men sup.
per before going into the courthouse, but
after this unexpected bringing OF the two
commands together, supper was lost sight
OF, and amid burst of music by the hands
the procession pressed on 10 the courthouse,
which was far too small 10 hold half the crowd
striving TO get in As Pickett's men fled
into the hall there was applause. Az ihe
request Of the audience, Mrs. Pickett, lea.:-
ing on the arm OF Gen. N. n. Burns, u. ;.
a., was escorted TO . seat on the judges
stand, and greeted with enthusiasm. Her
son occupied seat on neT left her hand
resting on his through most of the evening
Capt. J. n. Frazier, secretary of the Phila-
deiphia Brigade, called the meeting To
order and made an address, in which he
said the determination of Picketts men
with their opponents will do more 20 ad-
vance the good feeling extending ali over
the country than anything done since the
war, and he hoped such meetings would be
continued from Gettysburg TO Vlcksburg
Capt w. II. Stockton, the presiding officer,
gave the guests warm and hearty well
come. Col Chas a. Banes, president of
the Philadelphia Brigade Association, in MS
address said the whole country should
know what was said and done at this great
reunion The compliments he paid Pick
etl's men We're continuously appauded.
Among the speakers at the meeting was
Col VIM r. Aylett, who commanded the
Filty.third Virginia regiment, the youngest
colonel of Pickett's command, and the only
colonel of the command left living after the
charge, he having been wounded. 1t WAS evil
dent from the start that Col Aylett had cap.
tured the audience. When he said in refer
ence to the proposed return of the Confed-
crate flags tnat Southern men don't care
who keeps the ilags-the past went down
in war, and we recognize now the banner OF
our fathers'-the climax of the meeting
came. Lit. Parham raised the national en-
blem, the audience sprang up and gesticu-
lated wildly, Mrs. Pickett and her son and
all Oh the stage arose and joined IN the
demonstration. It was some time before
there was sufficient quiet for Col. Aylett to
proceed. There was great applause al the
mention of Stonewall Jackson's name.
The following letter from the President
was read
II have received your invitation to at.
tend, as guest of the Philadelphia Brigade,
reunion of eXConfederate soldiers OF Flck-
ett's Division who survived their terrible
charge ct Gettysburg and those ofthe Union
army still living by whom it was herolcally
resisted The fraternal meeting of these
soldiers upon the battlefield where twenty
four years ago in deadly fray they tierceiy
sought each others lives, where they saw
their comrades fall and where all their
thoughts were of vengeance ana destruc.
ton, will illustrate the general impulse of
brave men, and their honest desire for peace
and reconciliation. The friendly assault
there to be made will be resistless, because
inspired by American chivalry and its re-
sulf viii be glorious, because conquered
hearts will its trophies of success. There
after this battle.f field will be consecrated by
victory which shall presage the end Of the
bitterness of strife, the exposure Of the sin
ceritv which conceals hatred by professions
Of Kindness. the condemnation of frenzied
appeals to passion for unworthy purposes
and the beating down OF all that stands in
the way of the destiny of our united coun'
try. While those who fought and who nave
SO much to forgive lead in the pleasant. ways